AGING: Process for determining the time lapse since
sign was made. This would include taking into consideration the effects of
natural elements (rain, sun, dew, etc.) on the ground and vegetation
impacted by footfall.
BACKING: Walking backwards usually with the intent to
confuse the sign by trying to indicate a different direction of travel.
BROKEN TWIGS: Small broken particles occurring from
footfall on twigs or branches.
BARRIERS: A term used to describe man made or natural
objects such as fences, roads, ditches, creeks, hills, and banks.
BRUISING: Damage to vegetation from footfall usually
depicted by a darker coloration than the natural color of the plant itself.
BRUSHING OUT: The attempt to obliterate sign using
branches, grass, or clothing articles to brush the area containing sign.
CAMOUFLAGE: Disguising or concealing sign. Using
leaves or other natural vegetation to cover sign. Attempts to confuse
direction of travel and/or number of persons in the area.
CLOSING THE GATE or BOX: Methodology in cutting sign.
The effort to continue cutting sign from one point and completing a 360
degree cut back to that point.
COMPRESSED AREAS: Area of ground surface which shows
compression or flattening from footfall. Many times compression includes
loose debris pressed into the soil.
CONTINUITY OF SIGN: Finding contiguous sign at
regular intervals and of similar identity.
COUNTER TRACKING: Using different methods to disguise
or confuse sign making it difficult to follow or interpret.
CRYING: The resulting leaking of fluids from the
injured area of a plant that has been damaged by footfall. It is usually
manifested by a dark green color in the damaged area.
DISTURBANCE: The displacement of naturally occurring
items or debris on the ground.
DISLODGED ITEMS: Sticks, rocks, and other items that
have been moved by footfall; usually from incidental tripping, kicking, or
FALSE TRAILS: Sign that is not related to the primary
sign. False trails could include animal sign or sign from other unrelated
FLAGGING: Vegetation pushed or forced forward from
footfall or passage is called flagging. Sometimes the vegetation will be
intertwined. Direction of travel can be determined by the direction of the
FLANKERS: Tracking team members on the right and left
of the point person. Their responsibility is to watch for sign leaving or
coming into the prime sign area. They also assist the point person who is
responsible for locating and following the prime sign.
GRASS TRAIL: The flattening and bending of grass
which indicates passage of humans or animals. Another term that is
associated with flagging and shine.
HEEL MARKS: The indentation of the ground made from
the impact of the heel of the footwear.
HEALING: The natural process which occurs when
vegetation repairs itself after being damaged. Recognizing the stages of
healing is an important factor in aging sign.
INVENTING SIGN: Fabrication of sign happens when
students misinterpret the evidence of sign found or try to make unrelated
sign fit. Fatigue is a large causal factor in inventing sign.
KICK: The forceful impact of footwear to the ground
usually causing significant disturbance including the scattering of debris
forward of and around the impact area.
LIGHT ANGLE: The angle from the light source to the
ground. Proper use of light angle is very important in seeing sign more
LINE OF SIGN: Line of sign consists of the contiguous
sign found step by step all attributed to the same person.
LITTERING: Scattered debris, refuse, and other
foreign material attributed to human presence or passage.
PLS: Place last seen. The last place the person of
interest was seen.
PERIMETER CUT: Methodology in cutting for sign.
Making cuts for sign to confine or eliminate areas where sign is worked.
POINT PERSON: On a three person team the point
person is the middle team member whose primary responsibility is locating
and following the prime sign while the other members (flankers) watch for
sign leaving from or coming into the prime sign area.
PRIME SIGN: The isolated and unique track of the
person of interest.
PRIME SIGN AREA: The area subsequent to the last
footfall to where the next footfall should be. The tracking stick will aid
in finding the prime sign area.
SCUFF MARK: A mark or disturbance attributed to
footwear scrapping the ground.
SHINE: The light reflection from compressed surfaces
on the ground. The surfaces can be soil, grass, or moss. The light
reflection will be very different from the undisturbed area surrounding the
SIGN: All evidence of human passage.
SIGN CUTTING: Methodology of using multiple tracking
teams to move sign in a rapid but controlled manner. The use of additional
team(s) to use appropriate cutting area (ground cover, barriers, etc.) to
SIGNITURE TRACK: Footprint characteristics such as
marks, dimensions, and tread patterns that are unique only to the person
STRIDE: The measurement from the heel (or toe) of one
footprint to the heel (or toe) of the subsequent footprint. Distance between
footfalls plus the length of the foot.
STRIDE INTERVAL: The measurement from the toe of one
footprint to the heel of the subsequent footprint. Distance between
TOE DIGS: The resulting impression to the ground
surface from the toe of the foot as the foot moves forward from the heel to
the ball of the foot to the toe as a stride is taken.
TRACKING TEAM: Ideally, three persons compose a
tracking team consisting of a point person and two flankers.
TRACK TRAP: An open ground area that usually will
allow for sign to be seen much more readily because of the lack of ground
cover. This open ground can be manmade or occur naturally. Loose soil or
sand is even more advantages as a track trap.
TRACKER BURNOUT: A condition reached when a tracker
becomes fatigued and loses concentration. The tracker can also become
temporarily visually impaired because of eyestrain.
TRANSFER: Soil, debris, vegetation, etc. that adheres
to the bottom of the foot and is deposited on subsequent tracks.
VEGETATION DAMAGE: The observable breakage, smashing,
compressing, bruising, splitting, or other damage done to vegetation by
walking on or brushing such vegetation.